- City:
- Rockingham, NC
- Site Type:
- Post Offices, Civic Facilities, Federal Facilities
- New Deal Agencies:
- Treasury Department, Federal & Military Operations
- Started:
- 1934
- Completed:
- 1936
- Designer:
- Louis A. Simon
- Contractor:
- Farnell A. Blaire
- Quality of Information:
- Good
- Marked:
- Yes
- Site Survival:
- Extant
Description
The Treasury Department funded the construction of the U. S. Post Office and Federal Building. The Art Deco structure was built in 1935 at the cost of more than $225,000. The architect of record was Louis A. Simon of the Public Works Branch, Procurement Division of the United States Treasury. The contractor of record was Farnell A. Blaire. Inaugurated in 1937, the building houses an example of New Deal artwork.
The structure’s linear ornamentation is typical of the Art Deco style of that era.
According to the Richmond County Historical Society, “The three-story orange brick building (which also has a basement) is ornamented by unglazed terra-cotta trim patterned with stylized floral and geometric motifs […].
The front elevation has a portico effect created by two-story-tall entry/window bays with metal paneling and grilles.
On each side of the entrance are large octagonal light sconces with scroll pendants, stiletto caps, and elongated arches containing clear glass, the history said.
The first floor was used by the post office. The courtroom and offices were on the upper two floors.”
Source notes
Richmond County Historical Society, Tom MacCallum: (https://rchs-nc.net/2015/01/09/federal-building/), accessed February 17, 2018.
Nation Register of Historic Places Registration Form, 1981: (https://www.hpo.ncdcr.gov/nr/RH0054.pdf), accessed February 17, 2018.
Cornerstone
Site originally submitted by Douglass Halvorsen on March 1, 2018.
Contribute to this Site
We welcome contributions of additional information on any New Deal site.
Submit More Information or Photographs for this New Deal Site
Join the Conversation